Centre clears 300-mw Lakhwad hydro-power project in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: The Centre has given its nod to the 300-mw Lakhwad hydro-power project in Uttarakhand.

Welcoming the move, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today said the Centre's approval to the long awaited project is a step towards further empowerment of the hill state.

He said the mega project would help improve the power scenario of not only Uttarakhand but also that of neighbouring states. Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd Chairman Subhash Kumar said the Lakhwad project is a joint venture of the centre and the state government.

It would be constructed by the UJVNL at an estimated cost of Rs 3,966 crore, out of which the Centre would provide Rs 2,578 crore and the remaining Rs 1,388 crore would be invested by the state government, Kumar said.

To be completed in four years, the project will be capable of irrigating 39123 hectares of land, he said.